Thread: Tommy Harris speaks via Zach Zaidman's twitter

By Brad Biggs

Calling it disturbing and then saying it wasn't frustrating, Tommie Harris on Thursday talked through his benching for Monday night's game against Green Bay.
The Bears' defensive tackle said he doesn't know if he is going to play Sunday night in New Meadowlands Stadium against the New York Giants, but isn't asking for a trade after coach Lovie Smith sidelined him for the third time in three seasons.
"No, I don't want to be traded," Harris said. "I love Chicago. I love my team. I love my teammates and I play hard for this city. I play hard for my players. That is what I do every time I am out there."
But will he love his situation if he continues to sit on the bench?
"That is not a big deal for me right now," Harris said. "It's all about winning. When you win, nothing really matters at the end of the day. So, whatever it takes to help this team."
Smith was clear Wednesday that it wasn't a permanent move, but Matt Toeaina has been regularly praised and it might be difficult for Harris to reclaim his starting job quickly. Harris' agent Drew Rosenhaus was at the game at Soldier Field and did meet with team officials before the game. Whether they discussed Harris is not known.
"We haven't complained about what Tommie has done as far as trying to get ready for the games each week," Smith said. "He had a good practice today. We'll see how it goes."
Harris maintained he is behind doing what is best for the team and he just had to go with the decision that was made. But in his mind is he really not one of the 45 best players on the roster?
"You have to ask Lovie that question," Harris said. "That is what they said was best for the team."
Harris made the right moves after practice Thursday afternoon at Halas Hall. But if he's not back on the field soon, you can count on him becoming a significant distraction in the locker room. It will be interesting to see what direction this heads. The NFL's trading deadline is Oct. 19 but the Bears don't have depth at the position to move a player.
Smith said the move was made for production reasons.
"I think I did all right (in the first two games)," Harris said. "But I didn't do Tommie Harris good, my standards and what I feel I am used to at a Pro Bowl level. But it will get to that.
"I wasn't frustrated that I didn't play it's just that it's Monday Night Football, you know. It was very disturbing when I found out the news but what can you do? You have great vets. Lance (Briggs), (Brian) Urlacher, guys talked to me and just told me to be ready when it is my time again."

http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com...found-out.html

Originally Posted by gammabears

If he can't be motivated by starting, a big pay day, and being benched, then wtf is next?

A matinée? I heard that Secretariat movie is very inspiring.

ZachZaidman: Jerry Angelo to ChicagoBears.com on Tommie Harris: "We felt his play at this point didn't warrant us from looking at other players"
ZachZaidman: Jerry Angelo to ChicagoBears.com: "We feel that Tommie can still play at a high level."
ZachZaidman: Jerry Angelo to ChicagoBears.com: "Play time is very important to players, and they have to understand that play time is not a given."

Tommie Harris: I'll 'continue to keep working'
By Bob LeGere | Daily Herald Staff

Published: 9/30/2010 4:58 PM

Bears defensive tackle Tommie Harris said after practice today that he was "disturbed" about not dressing for Monday night's victory over the Packers but will do all he can to get back on the field as soon as possible.
"I wasn't frustrated that I didn't play," Harris said. "It's just that it's Monday Night Football, you know. It was very disturbing when I found out the news, but what can you do? You have great vets (on this team). Lance (Briggs), (Brian) Urlacher, those guys talked to me and just told me to be ready when it is my time again."
That could be as soon as Sunday night at the New Meadowlands Stadium against the Giants on national TV.
"We haven't complained about what Tommie has done as far as trying to get ready for the games each week," Bears coach Lovie Smith said. "He had a good practice today. We'll see how it goes."
It was the third time in three years that Harris has been benched. But Harris, the Bears' first-round pick in 2004, who has been a starter since his rookie season, said he does not want to be traded.
"I love Chicago," he said. "I love my team. I love my teammates, and I play hard for this city. I play hard for my players. That is what I do every time I am out there."
Harris said the Bears' 3-0 record overshadows his benching, which he believes is temporary.
"That is not a big deal for me right now," he said. "It's all about winning. When you win, nothing really matters at the end of the day. So, whatever it takes to help this team."
For now, Harris says he will continue to work until he gets back on the field, which is expected to be this week.
"While you are waiting, (you) do what you're supposed to do," the three-time Pro Bowler said. "I will just continue to keep working and wait to get my shot again."
Harris was benched after making a total of just 1 tackle in the first two games, production that he admits isn't up to his usual standards.
"I think I did all right," he said. "But I didn't do 'Tommie Harris good,' (up to) my standards and what I feel I am used to at a Pro Bowl level. But it will get to that."


http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=412056&src=148

Tommie Harris addresses his deactivation

By Sean Jensen on September 30, 2010 4:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Bears defensive tackle Tommie Harris has apparently embraced the diplomatic approach to his deactivation Monday night.
In his first extensive comments since he was inactive, Harris told reporters after practice today that he doesn't want to be traded.
"No, I don't want to be traded. I love Chicago," he said. "I love my team. I love my teammates. And I play hard for this city."
Harris said he he "just had to do what was best for the team."

Asked if it was best he didn't play, Harris said, "You'll have to ask coach [Lovie Smith] that question."
Harris also deferred to SMith on whether he will play Sunday against the New York Giants and if he knew before Monday about his deactivation.
Yet Harris admitted that he didn't play up to his own standards in the first two games, when he tallied just one tackle and recovered a fumble.
"I did all right, but I didn't do Tommie Harris good," he said. "My standards are at a Pro Bowl level. I will get to that."
As for a report that he was seen having a heated talk with agent Drew Rosenhaus at the team hotel Monday, Harris said, "I was not frustrated that I did not play.
"It's just that it's Monday Night Football. It's very disturbing, when I found out the news.
But what can you do."
But Harris applauded teammates like Lance Briggs, Brian Urlacher and others who encouraged him.

Smith, however, wasn't in any mood to talk about Harris again, after addressing addressing several questions about the veteran Wednesday.
Smith said players know the team's protocol on informing them on their status for games and that the coaches keep them in the loop.
"Everybody knows what's going on around here," Smith said.


http://blogs.suntimes.com/bears/2010...be_traded.html

No, I don't want to be traded," Harris said. "I love Chicago. I love my team. I love my teammates and I play hard for this city. I play hard for my players. That is what I do every time I am out there."

But will he love his situation if he continues to sit on the bench?

"That is not a big deal for me right now," Harris said. "It's all about winning. When you win, nothing really matters at the end of the day. So, whatever it takes to help this team."

Gues this once again puts another BS internet story to rest, as not ONE newspaper followed up with the false blog AND tommie denies it, about the "lunch".. just wish people would realize these fake blogs and places like bleacher report with no accountibility and many times totally false stories, are just that, rumors and most times fake stuff made by high school kids or shut ins and not give it any credibility or run with it first and make conclusions based on the false info and make slams from it when no truth to start With